Werewolf by Night Is an Unexpected Howling Good Time

With all the fanfare surrounding the release of Hocus Pocus 2 on Disney+ this year, there’s another special on the streamer. One that’s in danger of being overshadowed. Werewolf by Night, a Marvel Studios Special Presentation, started streaming on October 7. It’s the first such offering in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), and wow. Talk about setting the benchmark. Alex Maidy from JOBLO nailed it when he described it as “one of the best homages to classic horror.” Perfect summation!

Let’s break down what it’s about, as well as what there is to both love and not love about it.

Werewolf by Night Premise

It can be summed up simply as “monster hunters gather for a deadly competition.” (At least that’s how it appears in the “For You” section of my Sony TV.) However, there’s a little more to it than that.

After the death of her husband, Ulysses Bloodstone, his wife Verussa (Harriet Sansom Harris) summons five monster hunters to Bloodstone Temple in order to determine their new leader. However, her estranged daughter, Elsa (Laura Donnelly), also shows up and is allowed to compete, to the protestations of the other competitors. But Verussa assures them that Elsa won’t get any special privileges or have any special advantages. No spoilers, but she makes good on that promise.

Anyway, their mission is to find and kill a monster lurking on the grounds. Whoever does it first wins the powerful Bloodstone and becomes their new leader.

But as with any good story, there’s a twist. There’s more than one creature lurking among the monster hunters, including the title character.

What’s to Love about Werewolf by Night

Last year one of Disney+’s most anticipated Halloween specials was Muppets Haunted Mansion. (At least, Smalls was highly anticipating it.) This year everyone was going cuckoo crazy waiting for Hocus Pocus 2 and the resurrection of the three beloved bad witches who made the first movie so iconic. Is that why I missed any promo for Werewolf by Night?

I don’t know, but this past weekend it immediately caught my eye as one of the featured titles on my TV’s home menu. That’s what prompted me to take a gander at the trailer. When I did, all I could think was, “This is from Marvel?” and “That looks fresh and interesting.”

When I saw it wasn’t very long, not even a full hour, I gave it a go and was hooked immediately. And that’s how I was introduced to the Marvel Comics character Werewolf by Night, who I had no idea existed. And what a great introduction!

The storyline is tight, and the actors —all seasoned veterans— perfectly breathe life into their characters. In addition to Harriet Sansom Harris (Frasier, Desperate Housewives, Atlantic Crossing) and Laura Donnelly (Outlander, The Nevers), it stars Gael Garcia Bernal (Station Eleven, Old), Kirk R. Thatcher (Muppets Haunted Mansion), Leonardo Nam (Westworld, Maggie), Eugenie Bondurant (The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It), and Daniel J. Watts (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel).

But it’s the filmography that marries the drama of classic black-and-white monster movies with modern fight choreography and special FX to create a brilliant new dynamic.

And of course, there’s also the lovable —and yet terrifying— monster, Ted.

What’s Not to Like About Werewolf by Night

Nothing.

Although, I’ll admit I’m not nuts about the title, which took me forever to understand was one of the characters’ names. Seems a little awkward but that’s just me.

Plus, that’s just a personal preference. It doesn’t interfere with enjoying this super entertaining special at all.

Werewolf By Night Trailer

Werewolf By Night Reviews Teaser

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Were you already acquainted with the Jack Russell/Werewolf by Night Marvel Comics character or is this your introduction to him too?